Fresno County, California Biographies
Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)
History By Paul E. Vandor
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
WM. D. BECKWITH.� Although Mr. Beckwith is living a somewhat
retired life, his fellows never forget that he was for years a leader to whom
the}- might look with confidence. He is energetic for his age, and still tries
to be useful ; and this is only natural to one who has led such a long and
useful life.
He was born in Clinton County. N. Y.. August 1, 1841, and reared and
educated there: and under the flourishing conditions of the Empire State
he early turned his attention to the cultivation of the soil. When the dark-
clouds of the Civil War arose, he promptly volunteered his services and was
attached to the First New York Engineers. He was engaged at the siege
of Petersburg and Richmond, was at Farmville and finally at Appomattox
Court House where Lee surrendered. At the close of the war he received
an honorable discharge and again took up the burden and the pleasurable
duties of civil life.
In 1871, Mr. Beckwith removed to Kansas where he farmed for twenty
years, and where, at that time, buffalo were roaming the prairies. On ac-
count of the sickness of his wife, who was Josie Norn's, in maidenhood, he
shifted to Nebraska, and there for four years he engaged in business as a
merchant. His wife's health not improving, he finally came to California,
and in 1908 took up his residence in Fresno, where Mrs. Beckwith died in
1910. She, too, was a native of New York, and she endeared herself to all
who became acquainted with her. Such has been the consistent, unselfish
life of both Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith that wherever they have lived, there
they have left an enviable record for kindly endeavor.
Six children were born to Air. and Airs. Beckwith, four of whom are
still living: Mrs. G. H. Smith, of Fresno; Mrs. F. Barber, also of Fresno;
F. L. Beckwith, of Nebraska; and B. H. Beckwith of Sanger. The latter
was born in Kansas, in 1881, and was ten years of age when his folks re-
moved to Nebraska. In 1912 he married Miss Bertha, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Van Fleet, and at his marriage his father gave him a deed to his ranch
of forty acres in the Sanger district. He was a carpenter by trade, and he
contracted for building in both San Francisco and Fresno, but he has later
given his attention to the ranch, which he has set out to peaches and apricots.
In time he intends to plant the entire ranch to English walnuts, which he
believes will prove even more remunerative. Mr. Beckwith has been in the
County since 1905, having preceded his parents, and has been closely identi-
fied with Fresno's development.
W. D. Beckwith is a member of the Grand Army Post in Fresno. In
politics he is a Progressive Republican and a warm friend of Hiram Johnson.